Flatbed Trucking: Types, Costs, and When You Need It

April 8, 2026 5 min read

Flatbed Trucking: Types, Costs, and When You Need It

Not everything fits in a box trailer. Steel coils, lumber bundles, construction equipment, oversized machinery — if your cargo is too tall, too wide, too heavy, or needs to be loaded from the top or sides, you need a flatbed. This guide covers flatbed trailer types, when to use them, what they cost, and how to prepare your cargo for a flatbed move.

What Is Flatbed Trucking?

Flatbed trucking uses open trailers without sides, a roof, or doors. Cargo is loaded from the top (with a crane or forklift) or from the sides, and secured with straps, chains, and tarps. The open design makes flatbeds the only option for oversized or oddly shaped freight that won’t fit through the back doors of an enclosed trailer.

Types of Flatbed Trailers

Standard Flatbed

Deck length: 48’–53′
Deck height: ~60″ from the ground
Max freight height: ~8’6″ (to stay under 13’6″ total with the deck)
Capacity: Up to 48,000 lbs
Best for: Steel, lumber, building materials, palletized goods that can be loaded from the side, pipe, beams

Step Deck (Drop Deck)

Deck height: ~36″–42″ on the lower deck (about 20″ lower than a standard flatbed)
Max freight height: ~10′ on the lower deck
Capacity: Up to 44,000 lbs
Best for: Taller cargo that would exceed height limits on a standard flatbed — machinery, vehicles, large equipment

RGN (Removable Gooseneck)

Deck height: As low as 18″–24″ on the main deck
Key feature: The front detaches and lowers to the ground, creating a ramp for self-propelled equipment to drive on
Capacity: Up to 42,000 lbs (more with multi-axle configurations)
Best for: Heavy equipment — excavators, bulldozers, cranes, anything that rolls

Conestoga

Key feature: A flatbed with a retractable tarp system (rolling curtains) that covers the cargo like a dry van but loads like a flatbed
Best for: Freight that needs weather protection but can’t be loaded through rear doors — finished goods, coated steel, electronics on pallets
Trade-off: Conestoga capacity is limited and rates are higher than standard flatbed

When to Use Flatbed vs. Dry Van

Use a flatbed when any of these apply:

Your cargo exceeds 8’6″ wide, 8’6″ tall, or 53′ long
It needs to be loaded from the top or sides (no dock, crane loading required)
It doesn’t fit through the rear doors of a 53′ trailer
It’s a single heavy piece (machinery, equipment, large fabrication)
Your pickup location doesn’t have a loading dock

If your freight fits on pallets, weighs under 44,000 lbs total, and can be loaded from the back with a forklift — a dry van is usually cheaper and protects your cargo from weather.

Common Flatbed Commodities

Steel: Coils, plate, beams, rebar, pipe. Steel is the backbone of flatbed freight. Most flatbed carriers run steel lanes regularly.
Lumber and building materials: Dimensional lumber, plywood, trusses, roofing materials. Loaded from the side or top, often tarped.
Machinery and equipment: CNC machines, generators, HVAC units, industrial equipment. Usually on step decks or RGNs.
Construction materials: Concrete barriers, precast panels, structural steel, bridge components.
Vehicles and heavy equipment: Forklifts, excavators, tractors. Drive-on loading with RGN trailers.
Wind energy components: Turbine blades, nacelles, tower sections. Requires specialized flatbed configurations and permits.

Flatbed Trucking Costs

Flatbed rates are higher than dry van rates because of the specialized equipment, securement requirements, and driver skill involved. Here’s what to expect:

Average rate per mile: $2.50–$4.50/mile for standard flatbed (vs. $1.80–$3.00 for dry van)
Short hauls (under 250 miles): $500–$1,500 minimum, depending on cargo and equipment
Cross-country (2,000+ miles): $5,000–$9,000+ depending on weight and route

What Drives Flatbed Pricing

Equipment type: Standard flatbed is cheapest; RGN is most expensive
Cargo weight: Heavier loads cost more and may require multi-axle trailers
Tarping: Most flatbed loads require tarps ($50–$150 extra per load). Some carriers include it; others don’t.
Oversize permits: Loads exceeding 8’6″ wide, 13’6″ tall, or 80,000 lbs gross require permits ($50–$500+ per state)
Escort vehicles: Super-loads may require pilot cars ($500–$1,500/day each)
Lane and season: Flatbed capacity tightens in spring and summer when construction booms. Rates spike 15–25% during peak season.

Permits and Oversize Loads

If your load exceeds standard legal dimensions, you need oversize permits — and the rules vary by state:

Over-width (wider than 8’6″): Requires permits in every state the load travels through. May require escort vehicles.
Over-height (taller than 13’6″): Route surveys may be needed to check bridge clearances.
Over-length (longer than 53′): Permits required; some states restrict travel to certain roads and times.
Overweight (over 80,000 lbs gross): Requires permits and often specific routes that avoid weight-restricted bridges.

Your freight broker handles the permit process. But you need to provide accurate dimensions and weight upfront — getting this wrong delays the shipment and can result in roadside fines.

How to Prepare Cargo for Flatbed Shipping

Know your dimensions and weight. Measure each piece. If it’s an oddly shaped item, provide photos to your broker.
Identify securement points. Where can straps and chains be attached? If there are no obvious tie-down points, discuss cribbing and blocking with your broker.
Protect finished surfaces. Edge protectors, corner guards, and dunnage prevent strap damage on finished or coated items.
Confirm loading equipment. Do you have a crane, overhead hoist, or forklift with enough capacity? The truck driver usually does not provide loading equipment.
Discuss tarp requirements. If your cargo needs weather protection, tell your broker when you book — not when the truck arrives.

Get a Flatbed Quote

BlackBridge Logistics moves flatbed freight across the U.S. — steel, machinery, lumber, construction materials, and oversized loads. We match your cargo to the right equipment, handle permits, and coordinate securement so your freight arrives intact.

Request a flatbed quote or call us at (516) 252-3395. Tell us what you’re shipping and we’ll figure out the rest.